Electronic apparatus with channeled cooling

ABSTRACT

An apparatus includes a housing, at least one heat-generating electrical module, and at least one fan. The housing includes a floor and at least one sidewall extending around the floor&#39;s perimeter. A first sidewall end section defines an air intake port and a second sidewall end section defines a first air exhaust port. The floor includes two noncoplanar floor portions and a transition portion interconnecting them. The transition portion defines a second air exhaust port. The heat-generating module(s) are positioned over the floor portions. Inside surfaces of the floor portions together with external surfaces of the heat-generating module(s) define at least one air flow channel therebetween. The fan or fans are positioned proximate the air intake port and operable to draw air into the housing through the intake port. The fan or fans force the indrawn air through the air flow channel(s) and out the air exhaust ports.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to thermal management inelectronic devices or systems and, more particularly, to an electronicapparatus with a channeled cooling configuration.

BACKGROUND

In some electrical or electronic devices, particularly those havingpower electronics, thermal management is a critical issue. Heatgenerated from power electronics can negatively affect the performanceof those electronics and nearby devices if the heat is not removed. Aconventional way of removing heat from electronic elements, such asdevices or modules, is through use of a heat sink. The electronicelements producing heat are placed in physical and/or thermal contactwith a heat sink to draw heat away from the elements. In certaincircumstances, heat sinks and the electronic elements to which they aremounted may be oriented such that the fins of the heat sinks pointupward. Such an orientation may allow for convective cooling of the heatsink because hot air naturally rises. In other circumstances, one ormore fans are used to blow cool or ambient temperature air over the finsof the heat sink to remove heat out of the system.

Electronic systems that include electronic elements mounted to heatsinks may be installed in exposed outdoor locations, which are subjectto precipitation, including snow and rain. Water entering such anelectronic system needs to be fully or partially drained to prevent thewater from negatively impacting the electronics of the system. Thus,outdoor electronic systems using cooling fans may require clearancebelow the electronic elements of the system to facilitate somecollection of water until drainage elements, such as holes, caneliminate most, if not all, the water. As a result, housings ofelectronic systems intended for outdoor use do not typically facilitatelow profile applications where the housings must accommodate both waterdrainage and one or more fan-cooled heat sinks.

SUMMARY

In accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure,an apparatus includes a housing, at least one heat-generating electricalor electronic module, and at least one fan. The housing includes a floorand at least one sidewall portion extending around a perimeter of thefloor. An air intake section of the at least one sidewall portion islocated at a first lengthwise end of the floor and defines an air intakeport (e.g., a set of air intake apertures). An air exhaust section ofthe at least one sidewall portion is located at a second lengthwise endof the floor and defines a first air exhaust port (e.g., a first set ofair exhaust apertures). The floor includes a first floor portionresiding primarily in a first plane, a second floor portion residingprimarily in a second plane, and a transition portion interconnectingthe first floor portion and the second floor portion. The transitionportion of the floor defines a second air exhaust port (e.g., a secondset of air exhaust apertures). The at least one heat-generating moduleis positioned over and spaced apart from the first floor portion and atleast part of the second floor portion of the housing. At least one airflow channel is defined between inside surfaces of the housing floorportions and at least one external surface of the one or moreheat-generating modules. The external surface or surfaces of the one ormore heat-generating modules may be external surfaces of the modules orthe modules' heat sink fins. The at least one fan is positionedproximate the air intake port. So positioned, the at least one fan isoperable to draw air into the housing through the air intake port andforce the air through the at least one air flow channel and out thefirst and second air exhaust ports. The apparatus may be suitable forimplementing a small cell access node or small cell networking device(sometimes referred to as just a “small cell”) or any other type ofelectronic device or system.

In accordance with some alternative embodiments of the presentdisclosure, an apparatus includes at least two housing members, at leasttwo heat-generating electrical modules, and at least one fan. A firstone of the housing members includes a floor and a first sidewallportion. The first sidewall portion is located at a first lengthwise endof the floor and defines an air intake port (e.g., a set of air intakeapertures). The floor includes a first floor portion residing primarilyin a first plane, a second floor portion residing primarily in a secondplane substantially parallel to the first plane, and a transitionportion interconnecting the first floor portion and the second floorportion. The transition portion of the floor defines a first air exhaustport (e.g., a first set of air exhaust apertures). The second housingmember is connected to the first housing member and includes at least asecond sidewall portion. The second sidewall portion extends around atleast part of a perimeter of the floor and defines a second air exhaustport (e.g., a second set of air exhaust apertures) at a secondlengthwise end of the floor. At least a first heat-generating module ispositioned over and spaced apart from the first floor portion of thefirst housing member and at least a second heat-generating module ispositioned over and spaced apart from at least part of the second floorportion of the first housing member such that the first heat-generatingmodule and the second heat-generating module are oriented in a generallyserial arrangement along a length of the first housing member. Insidesurfaces of the first and second floor portions and external surfaces ofthe first and second heat-generating modules define at least one airflow channel therebetween. The at least one fan is positioned proximatethe air intake port and operable to draw air in through the air intakeport. The fan or fans force the indrawn air through the at least one airflow channel and out the first and second air exhaust ports. Theapparatus may be suitable for implementing a small cell or any othertype of electronic device or system.

In accordance with further alternative embodiments of the presentdisclosure, an apparatus includes a housing, at least oneheat-generating electrical module, and at least one fan. The housingincludes a floor portion and at least one sidewall portion extendingaround a perimeter of the floor portion. An air intake section of the atleast one sidewall portion is located at a first lengthwise end of thefloor portion and defines an air intake port (e.g., a set of air intakeapertures). An air exhaust section of the at least one sidewall portionis located at a second lengthwise end of the floor portion and defines afirst air exhaust port (e.g., a first set of air exhaust apertures). Thefloor portion includes a first generally planar floor section residingin a first plane, a second generally planar floor section residing in asecond plane substantially parallel to the first plane, and an angledtransition section interconnecting the first floor section and thesecond floor section. The transition section defines a second airexhaust port (e.g., a second set of air exhaust apertures). The at leastone heat-generating module is positioned over and spaced apart from thefirst floor section and at least a portion of the second floor sectionof the housing. The inside surfaces of the first and second floorsections and at least one external surface of the at least oneheat-generating module define at least one air flow channeltherebetween. The at least one fan is positioned proximate the airintake port. The at least one fan is operable to draw air into thehousing through the set of air intake apertures and force the airthrough the at least one air flow channel and out the first and secondsets of air exhaust apertures. The apparatus may be suitable forimplementing a small cell or any other type of electronic device orsystem.

Although the present disclosure illustrates and describes an apparatussuitable for implementing an electronic device or system, it isnevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown becausevarious modifications and structural changes may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit of the disclosure and while remaining withinthe scope and range of equivalents of the claims. Additionally,well-known elements of the apparatus will not be described in detail orwill be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of theapparatus.

Features that are considered characteristic of the apparatus are setforth in the appended claims. As required, detailed embodiments of theapparatus are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that thedisclosed embodiments are merely exemplary, and the apparatus may beembodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functionaldetails disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, butrather should be interpreted as providing support for the claims and arepresentative disclosure appropriate for one of ordinary skill in theart to advantageously employ the claimed invention in appropriatelydetailed structures. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are notintended to be limiting; but rather are intended to provide anunderstandable description of the disclosure. While the specificationconcludes with claims defining the features of the invention, it isbelieved that the claimed invention will be better understood from aconsideration of the following description in conjunction with thedrawing figures, in which like reference numerals are used to refer tolike elements and structures. The figures of the drawings are not drawnto scale.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. The terms “a” or“an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term“plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more. The term“another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. Theterms “including” and/or “having,” as used herein, are defined ascomprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” as used herein, isdefined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and notnecessarily mechanically. The term “providing,” as used herein, isdefined in its broadest sense (e.g., bringing/coming into physicalexistence, making available, and/or supplying to someone or something,in whole or in multiple parts at once or over a period of time).

As used in this description, unless otherwise specified, azimuth orpositional relationships indicated by terms such as “up,” “down,”“left,” “right,” “inside,” “outside,” “over,” “under,” “front,” “back,”“head,” “tail,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “above,” “below,” andso on are based on azimuth or positional relationships shown in thedrawings, which are provided only to facilitate description of theembodiments of the present disclosure and to simplify the description,but not to indicate or imply that the devices or components must have aspecific azimuth, or be constructed or operated in the specific azimuth.Furthermore, terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” and so on areonly used for descriptive purposes and are not to be construed asindicating or implying relative importance.

As used in this description, unless otherwise clearly defined andlimited, terms such as “installed,” “coupled,” and “connected” should bebroadly interpreted to mean fixedly connected, detachably connected,integrally connected, mechanically connected, electrically connected,directly connected, or indirectly connected via an intermediate mediumor intermediate media. As used herein, the terms “about,”“approximately,” or “substantially” apply to all numeric values, whetheror not explicitly indicated, and shall include a range of plus or minusthirty percent of the relevant value, unless otherwise expressly stated.In other words, the terms “about,” “approximately,” and “substantially”generally refer to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art wouldconsider equivalent to the recited values (i.e., having the samefunction or result). In many instances, such terms may include numbersthat are rounded to the nearest significant figure. In this document,the term “longitudinal” should be understood to mean in a directioncorresponding to an elongated direction of a device, housing, floor,sidewall, or apparatus. Those skilled in the art can understand thespecific meanings of the above-mentioned terms in the embodiments of thepresent disclosure according to the specific circumstances.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer toidentical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate viewsand which together with the detailed description below are incorporatedin and form part of the specification, serve to further illustratevarious embodiments and explain various principles and advantages all inaccordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective exploded view of a housing for anapparatus suitable for implementing an electronic device or system, inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side elevational exploded view of the housing ofFIG. 1 with the addition of an exemplary cover, in accordance with analternative exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front perspective view of the housing of FIG. 1 ,showing the housing as partially assembled.

FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom perspective view of an apparatus suitablefor implementing an electronic device or system, which includes thehousing of FIG. 1 , in accordance with an alternative exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a rear top perspective view of an assembled apparatussuitable for implementing an electronic device or system, in accordancewith another alternative embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a lower housing member of thehousing of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 7 illustrates a side cut-away view of the lower housing member ofFIG. 6 .

FIG. 8 illustrates a top plan view of the lower housing member of FIG. 6with an exemplary set of fans positioned proximate an air intake port,in accordance with a further alternative embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates a side exploded assembly view of an apparatussuitable for implementing an electronic device or system, wherein alower housing member and a sidewall housing member of the apparatus areshown in cross-section, in accordance with yet another exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 illustrates a side cutaway view of the apparatus of FIG. 9 asassembled, showing air flow paths for thermal management, in accordancewith exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 illustrates in very general form a front cross-sectional view ofthe apparatus of FIG. 9 as assembled, showing formation of multiple airflow channels for thermal management, in accordance with some additionalexemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective exploded view of a housing 100 for anapparatus suitable for implementing an electronic device or system, inaccordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Theelectronic device or system may be a small cell, which is afixed-location telecommunications device that facilitates, among otherthings, communication between mobile devices and a wirelesscommunication system infrastructure. The electronic device or system mayinclude other functionality also, including a light controller (wherethe device or system is mounted to a streetlight pole or atop aluminaire of a streetlight), power metering, Wi-Fi, and a GPS receiver.FIGS. 2-11 show the housing 100 and other electronic device componentsin various states and from various views, so like reference numerals areused throughout the drawings. Accordingly, reference can be made to anyor all of the drawings described in the following description.

In addition to the housing 100, the apparatus includes one or moreheat-generating electrical or electronic modules, and one or more fans.The housing 100 is configured to manage the heat output(s) of theelectrical module(s). The apparatus accomplishes thermal management bydrawing air (cool or ambient air) in through an air intake port 108 atone end of the housing 100, routing the air through one or more air flowchannels under the electrical module(s), and utilizing two separate airexhaust ports 128, 130 in the housing 100 to exhaust the heated air outof the apparatus. The air exhaust ports 128, 130 are arranged in stagessuch that one air exhaust port 128 is located in a transition portion112 of a floor of the housing 100 and another air exhaust port 130 islocated in a sidewall portion 132 of the housing 100 at a lengthwise endof the housing 100 opposite from the end containing the air intake port108.

According to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 7 , thehousing 100 includes a lower housing member 102 and a sidewall housingmember 104. The lower housing member 102 defines a floor having a firstfloor portion 110, a second floor portion 114, and the transitionportion 112. The transition portion 112 of the floor interconnects thefirst floor portion 110 and the second floor portion 114.

The lower housing member 102 may also include a back or rear sidewallportion 106 located at a first lengthwise end of the floor. The rearsidewall portion 106 defines the air intake port 108 and has a width, asmeasured along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of thehousing 100, that is approximately equal to a width of the first floorportion 110.

According to one exemplary embodiment as shown in FIG. 1 , the airintake port 108 includes a set of air intake apertures through which aircan be drawn into the housing 100 from outside of the housing 100. Theair intake apertures may be holes, slits, slots, or any other openingssized and shaped to permit the flow of air while preferably mitigatingingress of foreign matter. Alternatively, the air intake apertures maybe covered with a screen or mesh to further help keep out foreignmatter. Additionally or alternatively, the sidewall portion 106 definingthe air intake port 108 may be angled slightly away from the interior ofthe housing 100 so as to cause the air intake port 108 to be angledslightly downward and toward the ground when the apparatus is installedat an elevated location in an outside environment. Such orientation ofthe air intake port 108 makes it less prone to water intrusion from rainand snow after the apparatus has been installed.

The first floor portion 110 is generally a flat or substantially flatsurface that resides primarily in a first plane. The first floor portion110 extends substantially from the back sidewall portion 106 to a lowerend 140 (see FIG. 7 ) of the transition portion 112 of the floor. Thesecond floor portion 114 resides primarily in a second plane and extendsfrom an upper end 142 (see FIG. 7 ) of the floor's transition portion112 toward a second lengthwise end of the floor. Because the first andsecond floor portions 110, 112 reside primarily in different planes(e.g., the first floor portion 110 and the second floor portion 114 areat different levels), the transition portion 112 may be tapered orangled. In some embodiments, the transition portion 112 can be at anangle in the range of about ninety-five degrees (about five degrees offvertical) to about one hundred thirty-five degrees (about forty-fivedegrees off vertical) relative to the plane of the first floor portion110. In more preferable embodiments, the transition portion 112 can beat an angle of ten degrees to twenty-five degrees relative to the planeof the first floor portion 110, or alternatively, to the horizontaldirection when the device is properly mounted and leveled.

The transition portion 112 of the floor defines an air exhaust port 128that may include a first set of air exhaust apertures through which aircan escape from the interior of the housing 100 through convention or byforce from one or more fans. The air exhaust apertures may be holes,slits, slots, or any other openings sized and shaped to permit the flowof air while preferably mitigating ingress of foreign matter.Alternatively, the air exhaust apertures may be covered with a screen ormesh to further help keep out foreign matter. In one exemplaryembodiment, the air exhaust apertures may be a series of longitudinalslits oriented in the lengthwise direction of the lower housing member102. In some embodiments, at least some of the air exhaust aperturesforming the transition portion's air exhaust port 128 extend to thefirst floor portion 110 to facilitate water drainage out of the housing100 in the event of water ingress into the housing 100. In otherembodiments, the first floor portion 110 and the second floor portion114 can be slightly angled in order to direct any water that enters thehousing 100 to flow toward the transition portion's air exhaust port 128to drain out of the housing 100.

The second floor portion 114 may define an opening 116 that is sized toreceive and retain an electrical connector, such as avertically-oriented electrical connector 138 (as shown in FIG. 4 )configured to connect to an outdoor aerial lighting fixture (e.g. astreetlight fixture). A boss 118 or other supportive structure mayextend downward from a bottom surface 136 of the lower housing member102 proximate the opening 116 to support the electrical connector. Theelectrical connector can include a housing or other components, such asan O-ring or gasket, that fits within the opening 116 and seals theopening 116 against intrusion of water or other foreign matter.

The first floor portion 110 may include one or more medial walls 120,122 (two shown for illustrative purposes), which run in the lengthwisedirection of the lower housing member 102 and are oriented substantiallyorthogonal to the first floor portion 110. The medial walls 120, 122assist in forming air flow channels when other components of theapparatus are placed into their appropriate locations within the housing100. For example, each medial wall 120, 122 may be spaced a distancefrom a respective sidewall portion to define multiple air flow channelsbetween the medial walls 120, 122, and between each medial wall 120, 122and the sidewall housing member 104. A main or central air flow channelbetween the medial walls 120, 122 may be used to aid the cooling of oneor more heat-generating electrical modules positioned and spaced apartfrom the first floor portion 110 of the lower housing member 102. Forexample, the heat-generating electrical module or modules or sectionsthereof may be placed atop the medial walls 120, 122 and receiveadditional support from portions of the sidewall housing member 104and/or from posts or similar elements configured on or into the firstfloor portion 110. Heated air generated from the heat-generatingelectrical module(s) and flowing through the central air flow channelexits the housing 100 primarily through the exhaust port 128 in thetransition portion 112 of the floor. Side air flow channels 124, 126 maybe formed between the medial walls 120, 122 and the sidewall housingmember 104 to route cool toward the front of the housing 100, where suchair may aid the cooling of one or more other heat-generating electricalmodules positioned at least partially over and spaced apart from thesecond floor portion 114. Such additional heat-generating electricalmodule(s) may be positioned at least partially over and spaced apartfrom the first floor portion 110 and the second floor portion 114 suchthat the heat-generating electrical module(s) straddles the transitionportion 112 of the floor. Heated air generated from the forwardheat-generating electrical module(s) and flowing from the side air flowchannels 124, 126 exits the housing 100 primarily through the exhaustport 130 in the front sidewall portion 132 of the sidewall housingmember 104.

The exemplary sidewall housing member 104 shown in FIG. 1 is generallyU-shaped and, together with the rear sidewall portion 106 of the lowerhousing member 102, forms the vertical sidewall of the housing 100. Thefloor, sidewall, and cover of the housing 100 defines a volume of theapparatus. The sidewall housing member 104 connects to the lower housingmember 102 around a periphery of the lower housing member 102 and abutsthe rear sidewall portion 106 of the lower housing member 102 atopposite ends of the rear sidewall portion 106. The sidewall housingmember 104 includes a front sidewall portion 132 that is positionedopposite the rear sidewall portion 106 of the lower housing member 102along the length of the housing 100. The front exhaust port 130 isformed in the front sidewall portion 132 of the sidewall housing member104. Similar to the housing's other exhaust ports 108, 128, the frontexhaust port 130 may include a set of air exhaust apertures throughwhich air can escape from the interior of the housing 100 throughconvention or by force from one or more fans. The air exhaust aperturesof the front exhaust port 130 may be holes, slits, slots, or any otheropenings sized and shaped to permit the flow of air while preferablymitigating ingress of foreign matter. Alternatively, the air exhaustapertures may be covered with a screen or mesh to further help keep outforeign matter. In one exemplary embodiment, the air exhaust aperturesmay be a series of spaced apart slits oriented substantially verticallyalong the lower half of the front sidewall portion 132.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side elevational exploded view of the housing 100of FIG. 1 with the addition of an exemplary cover 200, in accordancewith an alternative exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Thecover 200 is sized and shaped to engage the top of the sidewall housingmember 104 when the housing 100 is assembled. The cover 200 may be slidinto engagement using a front catch feature 202. The cover 200 may alsohave a back wall portion 204 that can complement and align with the rearsidewall portion 106 of the lower housing member 102 when the housing100 is assembled. The side edge portions 206 of the cover 200 mayinclude features to engage corresponding retention features proximatethe inside top edge of the sidewall housing member 104. According to oneembodiment as illustrated in FIG. 2 , an underside 134 of the firstfloor portion 110 forms one section of an exterior bottom surface of thelower housing member 102. An underside 136 of the second floor portion114 surrounds the boss 118 and forms another section of the exteriorbottom surface of the lower housing member 102.

FIGS. 3-7 show various views of the housing 100 and the apparatus inwhich it is used in different states of assembly and disassembly. Forexample, FIG. 3 illustrates a front perspective view of the 100 showingthe housing 100 as partially assembled without the cover 200. Thesidewall housing member 104 fastens to the lower housing member 102about the lower housing member's periphery and to the widthwise edges ofthe rear sidewall portion 106. The fastening may be achieved in anyconventional manner, including through use of snap-fit connections,screws or other fasteners, or otherwise. The partial assembly viewillustrated in FIG. 3 also allows the three air flow channels (centraland two side channels 124, 126) to be more readily discernible.

FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom perspective view of an apparatus suitablefor implementing an electronic device or system, which apparatusincludes the housing 100 in accordance with an alternative exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 4 , theapparatus includes the electrical connector 138 assembled in the opening116 of lower housing member 102 and within the boss 118. The connector138 is configured to provide electrical power to components housed inthe housing 100, as well as to optionally facilitate communication ofcertain control signals (e.g., light controller control signals) andpower in accordance with a digital addressable lighting interface (DALI)protocol. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4 , the connector 138 isshown as a 7-pin connector in which the three center pins/terminalsprovide alternating current (AC) power (Line, Load, and Neutral) to theapparatus and the other four pins/contacts are for use in communicatingover a DALI bus or for other purposes.

FIG. 4 also provides better views of exemplary configurations andlocations for the air exhaust ports 128, 130 according to one embodimentof the present disclosure. For example, the floor exhaust port 128 isshown in the transition portion 112 of the floor and the forward exhaustport 130 is shown in the lower half of the front sidewall portion 132.Also, the undersides 134, 136 of the floor portions 110, 114 areviewable in this view. The underside of the first floor portion 110 mayinclude a pair of slots 402, 404 running in the lengthwise direction ofthe housing 100. The slots 402, 44 may be facilitate mechanicalconnection of the apparatus to other devices or structures, such as astreetlight-mounted pole clamp or bracket. According to one exemplaryembodiment, the slots 402, 404 are positioned directly under the medialwalls 120, 122 of the housing 100.

FIG. 5 illustrates a rear top perspective view of an assembled apparatussuitable for implementing an electronic device or system, in accordancewith another alternative embodiment of the present disclosure. Asillustrated in FIG. 5 , the cover may be configured to include aremovable access door 208 that is held in place using, for example,captured screws or bolts 210 secured into countersunk holes in theaccess door 208. In this embodiment, the air intake port 108 is shown inthe rear sidewall portion 106 of the lower housing member 102.Additionally, an electrical connector 212 may be included in and throughthe cover 200. The cover connector 212 may be similar to the floorelectrical connector 138 on the underside of the apparatus, or may of acomplementary configuration (e.g., including female power contactsinstead of male power prongs. The cover connector 212 may reside in asealed boss similar to the floor connector's boss 118. When included,the cover connector 212 facilitates the connection of the apparatus toother devices, such as an alternating current (AC) power tap, a Wi-Fiaccess point, an environmental sensor, or a photocontroller (where oneis not already included in the apparatus) to control light output for aluminaire of a streetlight fixture to which the apparatus is mounted.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show, respectively, a perspective view of the lowerhousing member 102, and a side cut-away view of the lower housing member102 for additional reference. In FIG. 7 , the cut-away view is generallyalong a central line in the lengthwise direction (i.e., a longitudinalaxis) of the lower housing member 102.

FIG. 8 illustrates a top plan view of the lower housing member 102 ofFIG. 6 with an exemplary set of fans 800, 802, 804, 806 (four shown forillustrative purposes only) positioned generally in parallel with oneanother proximate the air intake port 108, in accordance with a furtheralternative embodiment of the present disclosure. When included, thefans 800, 802, 804, 806 draw air into the housing 100 through the intakeport 108. The fans 800, 802, 804, 806 may abut the rear sidewall portion106 of the lower housing member 102 or be spaced away from the rearsidewall portion 106 by a desired distance (e.g., 2-4 centimeters). Theair drawn in through the air intake port 108 will be relatively coolcompared to the temperature(s) of the heat-generating electricalmodule(s) residing within the housing 100. Depending on the quantity andpositioning of the fans 800, 802, 804, 806, the fans 800, 802, 804, 806may blow the in-drawn air over the first floor portion 110 and thesecond floor portion 114 through the air channels as indicated by arrows816. The heated air exiting the main air channel is exhausted out of thehousing 100 primarily through the floor exhaust port 128, as indicatedby arrows 810. The outer fans 800, 806, which are positioned near thesidewall housing member 104, blow the in-drawn air through the side airflow channels 124, 126, as indicated, for example, by arrow 808. Theouter fans 800, 806 may be positioned at a slight angle (e.g., 5-25degrees) toward the sidewall housing member 104 and their respectiveside air flow channels 124, 126. The side air flow channels 124, 126 areformed, at least in part, between the medial walls 120, 122 and thecorresponding portions of the sidewall housing member 104.

As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 , and discussed in more detail below,one or more heat-generating electrical modules may be positioned overand spaced apart from all or part of the first floor portion 110 and thesecond floor portion 114. Once so positioned, the main or central airflow channel may be formed by the inside surface of the first floorportion 110, the inside-facing surfaces of the medial walls 120, 122,and the external underside surface or surfaces of the one or moreheat-generating electrical modules. Additionally, the outside air flowchannels 124, 126 may be formed by the inside surface of the first floorportion 110, the outside-facing surfaces of the medial walls 120, 122,and the external underside surface or surfaces of the one or moreheat-generating electrical modules. Where the one or moreheat-generating electrical modules forming part of the central air flowchannel include one or more heat sinks, the air flow created from thecentrally positioned fans 802, 804 may pass air over and/or through theheat sink fins on the underside(s) of the heat-generating module(s)positioned over the first floor portion 110. Such air then becomesheated from the heat emanating from the heat sink fins and exits thehousing 100 primarily through the first exhaust port 128. Air blown bythe outer-positioned fans 800, 806 through the outer air flow channels120, 122 may bypass the first exhaust port 128, as indicated, forexample, by arrow 812, and exit the housing 100 primarily through thesecond exhaust port 130, as indicated by arrow 814. Where the one ormore heat-generating electrical modules include one or more heat sinks,the external surfaces of the heat sink fins form the external surface orsurfaces of the one or more heat-generating electrical modules forpurposes of defining the respective air flow channels.

FIG. 9 illustrates a side exploded assembly view of an apparatussuitable for implementing an electronic device or system, wherein thelower housing member 104 and the sidewall housing member 104 of theapparatus are shown in cross-section, in accordance with yet anotherexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The lower housing member102 and the sidewall housing member 104 are shown in cross-section sothat locations of the first floor portion 110, the transition portion112, and the second floor portion 114 can be seen relative to exemplarypositioning of the one or more fans (fan 802 shown) and the one or moreheat-generating electrical modules 902, 904. In the exemplary embodimentillustrated in FIG. 9 , a first heat-generating electrical module 902and a second heat generating module 904 are configured in a serialarrangement along the lengthwise direction of the lower housing member102. The first heat generating electrical module 902 is positioned overthe first floor portion 110 and optionally includes a finned heat sink906 for drawing heat away from the electronic circuitry within themodule 902. The first heat generating electrical module 902 may includeone or more power amplifiers for transmitting high-rate digital cellularvoice and data traffic, such as where the entire apparatus provides 5Gor 6G small cell functionality.

The second heat-generating electrical module 904 is positioned over thetransition portion 112, as well as partially over the first floorportion 110 and partially over the second floor portion 114. The secondheat-generating electrical module 904 optionally includes a finned heatsink 908 for drawing heat away from the electronic circuitry within themodule 904. The second heat-generating electrical module 904 mayinclude, among other things, digital signal processors, a centralprocessing unit, an AC-to-DC power supply (with AC power received viathe electrical connector 138), a photocontroller, and low power wirelesstransceivers (such as for Global Positioning System (GPS) and/orlow-rate cellular data applications). A power supply contained in thesecond heat-generating electrical module 904 may be used to supplydirect current (DC) power to the one or more power amplifiers of thefirst heat-generating electrical module 902. Depending on thesensitivity of various components of the second heat-generatingelectrical module 904, the module 904 may be separated into two shieldedmodules or submodules configured in a stacked or side-by-sidearrangement to improve electrical isolation, if necessary.

FIG. 10 illustrates a side cutaway view of the apparatus of FIG. 9 asassembled, showing exemplary air flow paths for thermal management. Asshown in FIG. 10 , the heat-generating electrical modules 902, 904 arepositioned in a serial configuration above the first floor portion 110,the transition portion 112, and the second floor portion 114, such thatthe fins of the module heat sinks 906, 908 are spaced apart from thefloor portions 110, 112, 114 permitting air flow through the heat sinkfins and along the inside surfaces of the floor portions 110, 112, 114.The external underside surfaces of the heat-generating electricalmodules 902, 904 (e.g., the external surfaces of the heat sinks 906, 908in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 ) together with themedial walls 120, 122, the inside surfaces of the floor portions 110,112, 114, and the inside surface or surfaces of the sidewall housingmember 104 form one or more air flow channels through which air drawn inthrough the air intake port 108 may flow. In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 9 and 10 , the fan(s) 802 (one shown) draws outside air in throughthe air intake port 108, as generally indicated by flow arrow 1000. Thefan 802 blows or forces the in-drawn air through one or more air flowchannels formed between the underside external surface(s) of the firstheat-generating electrical module 902 (e.g., external surfaces of heatsink 906), the first floor portion 110, and side wall surfaces, whichmay be one or more of the inside surface(s) of the sidewall housingmember 104 and/or surface(s) of one or more medial walls 120, 122, asgenerally indicated by flow arrow 1004. A portion of the forced air asheated by heat emanating from the first heat-generating electricalmodule 902 or otherwise generally within the housing 100 exits or isexhausted out of the housing 100 through the exhaust port 128 in thetransition portion 112 of the floor, as generally indicated by flowarrow 1006. Additional forced air passes under and along the undersideexternal surface(s) of the second heat-generating electrical module 904(e.g., external surfaces of heat sink 908). The additional forced air asheated by heat emanating from the second heat-generating electricalmodule 904 and otherwise generally within the housing 100 exits or isexhausted out of the housing 100 through the exhaust port 130 in thefront sidewall portion 132 of the sidewall housing member 104, asgenerally indicated by flow arrow 1008.

FIG. 11 illustrates in very general form a front cross-sectional view ofthe apparatus of FIG. 9 as assembled, showing formation of multiple airflow channels for thermal management. As illustrated in an exemplarymanner in FIG. 11 , the first heat-generating electrical module 902 maybe positioned upon the medial walls 120, 122 such that the module's heatsink 906 rests above the first floor portion 110 and between the medialwalls 120, 122. In this configuration, a central air flow channel isformed between the first floor portion 110, the medial walls 120, 122,and external underside surfaces of the heat sink 906. Additionally, sideair flow channels 124, 126 are formed between the medial walls 120, 122,the first floor portion 110, and sidewall portions of the sidewallhousing member 104. While FIG. 11 illustrates three air flow channels,one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that more or less airflow channels may be formed and used depending on the thermal managementneeds of the particular apparatus.

As discussed above, some of the forced air from the fans 802, 804, 806,808 passes under the first heat-generating electrical module 902,between the medial walls 120, 122 and through the fins of the module'sheat sink 906 (when included). Such air becomes heated at least fromheat emanating from the first heat-generating electrical module 902 andexits the housing 100 at least partially through the air exhaust port128 in the transition portion 112 of the housing's floor. Other forcedair from the fans 802, 804, 806, 808 passes through side air flowchannels 124, 126 around or only partially under the firstheat-generating electrical module 902 to the forward portion of thedevice for use in cooling the second heat-generating module 904. Suchair becomes heated at least by the second heat-generating module 904 andexits the housing 100 at least partially through the air exhaust port130 in the front sidewall portion 132 of the sidewall housing member104.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the housing 100can be formed as a combination of various members, or as a unitarymember, which includes a multi-planar floor and sidewalls. In general,the housing 100 or housing assembly includes a floor having a firstfloor portion, a transition portion, and a second floor portion. Boththe first and second floor portions are the lowermost surfaces insidethe housing, with the second floor portion being elevated relative tothe first floor portion and the transition portion interconnecting thefirst and second floor portions. The first and/or second floor portionsmay be planar in some embodiments but could alternatively be non-planar.For example, the first and second floor portions may be slightly angledto bias the flow of any water inside the housing 100 toward one or moreof the air exhaust ports 128, 130 or toward other drainage features ofthe housing 100. The sidewall or sidewalls form the sides of the housing100, positioned about a periphery or perimeter of the floor andextending generally in a direction orthogonal to the floor.

One exemplary embodiment of the electronic apparatus disclosed hereinincludes the housing 100 and one or more heat-generating electricalmodules mounted inside the housing 100, which generate heat and need tobe thermally managed to prevent performance problems caused by excessivetemperature. One or more fans may be disposed inside the housing 100 todraw in ambient air from outside the housing 100 and force such air overthe underside(s) of the heat-generating electrical module(s). In someembodiments, air flow channels can be used to route some of the forcedair to particular sections of the housing 100 so as to provide thermalmanagement for one or more heat-generating electrical modules located inthose particular sections of the housing 100. Additionally, air exhaustports may be strategically positioned in the floor and/or sidewalls ofthe housing 100 along the housing's length so as to exhaust hot airgenerated by one or more heat-generating electrical modules before thehot air reaches and possibly negatively affects one or more otherheat-generating electrical modules. The disclosed electronic apparatusis well-suited for, among other things, implementing anexterior-mountable, multi-functional device or system that includes asmall cell access node as one of the heat-generating electrical modules.

In the absence of any specific clarification related to its express usein a particular context, where the terms “substantial” or “about” in anygrammatical form are used as modifiers in the present disclosure and anyappended claims (e.g., to modify a structure, a dimension, ameasurement, or some other characteristic), it is understood that thecharacteristic may vary by up to 30 percent. For example, a medial wallor sidewall may be described as being mounted “substantially vertical”or “substantially orthogonal.” In these cases, an element that ismounted exactly vertical or orthogonal is mounted along a “Y” axis and a“X” axis that is normal (i.e., 90 degrees or at a right angle) to aplane or line formed by a “Z” axis. Different from the exact precisionof the term “vertical” or “orthogonal” and the use of “substantially” or“about” to modify the characteristic permits a variance of theparticular characteristic by up to 30 percent.

The terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof inall of their syntactic contexts, are to be construed without limitationin an open, inclusive sense (e.g., “including, but not limited to”). Theterm “or” is inclusive, meaning “and/or.” The phrases “associated with”and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, can beunderstood as meaning to include, be included within, interconnect with,contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, becommunicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximateto, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like.

Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification andclaims which follow, the word “comprise” and variations thereof, such as“comprises” and “comprising,” are to be construed in an open, inclusivesense (e.g., including, but not limited to).

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” or “some embodiments” and variations thereof means that aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connectionwith the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, theappearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” invarious places throughout this specification are not necessarily allreferring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features,structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner inone or more embodiments.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singularforms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the contentand context clearly dictates otherwise. It should also be noted that theconjunctive terms, “and” and “or” are generally employed in the broadestsense to include “and/or” unless the content and context clearlydictates inclusivity or exclusivity, as the case may be. In addition,the composition of “and” and “or” when recited herein as “and/or” isintended to encompass an embodiment that includes all of the associateditems or characteristics and one or more other alternative embodimentsthat include fewer than all of the associated items or characteristics.

Except as the particular context may dictate otherwise, the singularshall mean the plural and vice versa. All pronouns shall mean andinclude the element or process to which they relate. Also, the masculineshall mean the feminine and vice versa.

The various embodiments described above may be combined to providefurther embodiments. Aspects of the embodiments may also be modified toemploy concepts of various patents, applications, and publications toprovide yet further embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a housing including afloor and at least one sidewall portion extending around a perimeter ofthe floor, an air intake section of the at least one sidewall portionbeing located at a first lengthwise end of the floor and defining an airintake port, an air exhaust section of the at least one sidewall portionbeing located at a second lengthwise end of the floor and defining afirst air exhaust port, the floor including a first floor portionresiding primarily in a first plane, a second floor portion residingprimarily in a second plane, and a transition portion interconnectingthe first floor portion and the second floor portion, the transitionportion including a second air exhaust port; at least oneheat-generating electrical module positioned over and spaced apart fromthe first floor portion and at least part of the second floor portion ofthe housing, at least one air flow channel being defined between insidesurfaces of the first floor portion and at least part of the secondfloor portion and at least one external surface of the at least oneheat-generating electrical module; and at least one fan positionedproximate the air intake port, the at least one fan being operable todraw air into the housing through the air intake port and force the airthrough the at least one air flow channel and out the first and secondair exhaust ports.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transitionportion of the floor is tapered at an angle in a range of about fivedegrees to about forty-five degrees relative to the first plane.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one heat-generatingelectrical module comprises: at least a first heat-generating electricalmodule positioned over and spaced apart from the first floor portion ofthe housing; and at least a second heat-generating electrical modulepositioned over and spaced apart from at least part of the second floorportion of the housing such that the first heat-generating electricalmodule and the second heat-generating electrical module are oriented ina generally serial alignment along a length of the housing and definethe at least one air flow channel between the inside surfaces of thefirst and second floor portions and external surfaces of the first andsecond heat-generating electrical modules.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3,wherein heat generated by the first heat-generating electrical module isexhausted primarily out of the second air exhaust port.
 5. The apparatusof claim 4, wherein heat generated by the second heat-generatingelectrical module is exhausted primarily out of the first air exhaustport.
 6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein heat generated by the secondheat-generating electrical module is exhausted primarily out of thefirst air exhaust port.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housingcomprises: a first housing member that includes the floor and a firstsidewall portion of the at least one sidewall portion, the firstsidewall portion being located at the first lengthwise end of the floorand defining the air intake port, the first sidewall portion having awidth equal to a width of the floor; and a second housing memberconnected to the first housing member and includes a second sidewallportion of the at least one sidewall portion, the second housing memberdefining the first air exhaust port.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the at least one fan comprises a plurality of fans arranged inparallel proximate the air intake port.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8,further comprising: a medial wall oriented substantially orthogonal tothe first floor portion and extending at least part of a length of thefirst floor portion, the medial wall being located a first distance froma first sidewall of the at least one sidewall portion of the housing;wherein the at least one air flow channel includes a first air flowchannel and a second air flow channel, the first air flow channel beingdefined by at least the first floor portion, the medial wall, the firstsidewall, and the at least one external surface of the at least oneheat-generating electrical module, the second air flow channel beingdefined by at least the first floor portion, the medial wall, a secondsidewall of the at least one sidewall portion of the housing, and the atleast one external surface of the at least one heat-generatingelectrical module; wherein at least a first fan of the plurality of fansis positioned in correspondence with the first air flow channel and atleast a second fan of the plurality of fans is positioned incorrespondence with the second air flow channel.
 10. The apparatus ofclaim 8, further comprising: a first medial wall oriented substantiallyorthogonal to the first floor portion and extending at least part of alength of the first floor portion, the first medial wall being located afirst distance from a first sidewall of the at least one sidewallportion of the housing; a second medial wall oriented substantiallyorthogonal to the first floor portion and extending at least part of thelength of the first floor portion, the second medial wall being locateda second distance from a second sidewall of the at least one sidewallportion of the housing; wherein the at least one air flow channelincludes a central air flow channel, a first side air flow channel, anda second side air flow channel, the central air flow channel beingdefined by at least the first floor portion, the first medial wall, thesecond medial wall, and the at least one external surface of the atleast one heat-generating electrical module, the first side air flowchannel being defined by at least the first floor portion, the firstmedial wall, the first sidewall, and the at least one external surfaceof the at least one heat-generating electrical module, and the secondside air flow channel being defined by at least the first floor portion,the second medial wall, the second sidewall, and the at least oneexternal surface of the at least one heat-generating electrical module;wherein at least a first fan of the plurality of fans is positioned incorrespondence with the first side air flow channel, at least a secondfan of the plurality of fans is positioned in correspondence with thesecond side air flow channel, and at least a third fan of the pluralityof fans is positioned in correspondence with the central air flowchannel.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second floor portiondefines an opening therethrough, the apparatus further comprising: anelectrical connector positioned in the opening and operational toprovide electrical power to the at least one heat-generating electricalmodule.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least oneheat-generating electrical module includes at least one power amplifier.13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the at least one heat-generatingelectrical module further includes a power supply that supplies directcurrent power to the at least one power amplifier.
 14. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein each of the air intake port, the first air exhaustport, and the second air exhaust port includes a respective set ofapertures.
 15. An apparatus comprising: a first housing member includinga floor and a first sidewall portion, the first sidewall portion beinglocated at a first lengthwise end of the floor and defining an airintake port, the floor including a first floor portion residingprimarily in a first plane, a second floor portion residing primarily ina second plane, and a transition portion interconnecting the first floorportion and the second floor portion, the transition portion defining afirst air exhaust port, the second plane being substantially parallel tothe first plane; a second housing member connected to the first housingmember, the second housing member including at least a second sidewallportion extending around at least part of a perimeter of the floor, theat least a second sidewall portion defining a second air exhaust port ata second lengthwise end of the floor; at least a first heat-generatingelectrical module positioned over and spaced apart from the first floorportion of the first housing member; at least a second heat-generatingelectrical module positioned over and spaced apart from at least part ofthe second floor portion of the first housing member such that the firstheat-generating electrical module and the second heat-generatingelectrical module are oriented in a generally serial arrangement along alength of the first housing member and define at least one air flowchannel between inside surfaces of the first and second floor portionsand external surfaces of the first and second heat-generating electricalmodules; and at least one fan positioned proximate the air intake port,the at least one fan being operable to draw air in through the airintake port and force the air through the at least one air flow channeland out the first and second air exhaust ports.
 16. The apparatus ofclaim 15, wherein heat generated by the first heat-generating electricalmodule is exhausted primarily out of the first air exhaust port.
 17. Theapparatus of claim 15, wherein heat generated by the secondheat-generating electrical module is exhausted primarily out of thesecond air exhaust port.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, furthercomprising: a medial wall oriented substantially orthogonal to the firstfloor portion and extending at least part of a length of the first floorportion, the medial wall being located a first distance from a firstsidewall of the at least a second sidewall portion of the second housingmember; wherein the at least one air flow channel includes a first airflow channel and a second air flow channel, the first air flow channelbeing defined by at least the first floor portion, the medial wall, thefirst sidewall, and the external surfaces of the first and secondheat-generating electrical modules, the second air flow channel beingdefined by at least the first floor portion, the medial wall, a secondsidewall of the at least a second sidewall portion of the second housingmember, and the external surfaces of the first and secondheat-generating electrical modules; wherein at least a first fan of theplurality of fans is positioned in correspondence with the first airflow channel and at least a second fan of the plurality of fans ispositioned in correspondence with the second air flow channel.
 19. Theapparatus of claim 17, further comprising: a first medial wall orientedsubstantially orthogonal to the first floor portion and extending atleast part of a length of the first floor portion, the first medial wallbeing located a first distance from a first sidewall of the at least asecond sidewall portion of the second housing member; a second medialwall oriented substantially orthogonal to the first floor portion andextending at least part of the length of the first floor portion, thesecond medial wall being located a second distance from a secondsidewall of the at least a second sidewall portion of the second housingmember; wherein the at least one air flow channel includes a central airflow channel, a first side air flow channel, and a second side air flowchannel, the central air flow channel being defined by at least thefirst floor portion, the first medial wall, the second medial wall, andthe external surfaces of the first and second heat-generating electricalmodules, the first side air flow channel being defined by at least thefirst floor portion, the first medial wall, the first sidewall, and theexternal surfaces of the first and second heat-generating electricalmodules, and the second side air flow channel being defined by at leastthe first floor portion, the second medial wall, the second sidewall,and the external surfaces of the first and second heat-generatingelectrical modules; wherein at least a first fan of the plurality offans is positioned in correspondence with the first side air flowchannel, at least a second fan of the plurality of fans is positioned incorrespondence with the second side air flow channel, and at least athird fan of the plurality of fans is positioned in correspondence withthe central air flow channel.
 20. An apparatus comprising: a housingincluding a floor portion and at least one sidewall portion extendingaround a perimeter of the floor portion, an air intake section of the atleast one sidewall portion being located at a first lengthwise end ofthe floor portion and defining an air intake port, an air exhaustsection of the at least one sidewall portion being located at a secondlengthwise end of the floor portion and defining a first air exhaustport, the floor portion including a first generally planar floor sectionresiding in a first plane, a second generally planar floor sectionresiding in a second plane, and an angled transition sectioninterconnecting the first floor section and the second floor section,the transition section including a second air exhaust port, the secondplane being substantially parallel to the first plane; at least oneheat-generating electrical module positioned over and spaced apart fromthe first floor section and at least a portion of the second floorsection of the housing, inside surfaces of the first and second floorsections and at least one external surface of the at least oneheat-generating electrical module defining at least one air flow channeltherebetween; and at least one fan positioned proximate the air intakeport, the at least one fan being operable to draw air into the housingthrough the air intake port and force the air through the at least oneair flow channel and out the first and second air exhaust ports.